Indian partner in airport bid eyeing other Phl investments

CEBU, Philippines - Amid the controversy surrounding the modernization project of Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA), Indian firm GMR Group have expressed interest to venture into other investments in the Philippines.

GMR, which is part of the Megawide-GMR Consortium that won the airport project bidding, said it may consider other investments in the country although at this point the company is putting its focus on the airport project.

GMR Group deputy chief executive officer Andrew Acquaah Harrison said that the company is open to any possibility of contributing to any project development in the country, if given the opportunity.    

Harrison mentioned that GMR, aside from being the third largest private airport developer in the world, also holds a good track record on energy, highways and urban infrastructure projects, among others.

The airport bid, together with local publicly-listed Megawide Construction Corporation, is the first investment made by GMR in the Philippines.

Despite the controversy, Harrison remains hopeful that the problems hounding the airport project will be resolved soon and the consortium will eventually be awarded and can finally say the project is “rightfully ours."

GMR is one of the first private companies engaged in power generation in India. Harrison said the company will also open their doors on the possibilities of entering into energy investments here, once its first venture with the Mactan airport finally kicks off.

GMR Group is one of the fastest growing infrastructure enterprises in the country with interests in Airports, Energy, Highways and Urban Infrastructure sectors. Employing the Public Private Partnership model, the Group has successfully implemented several iconic infrastructure projects in India.

The Group also has a global presence with infrastructure operating assets and projects in Turkey, Indonesia and Nepal.

GMR Infrastructure Limited is the infrastructure holding company formed to fund the capital requirements of various infrastructure projects across the sectors. It undertakes the development of the infrastructure projects through its various subsidiaries.

The Group’s commitment to inclusive growth is achieved through its Corporate Social Responsibility arm – the GMR Varalakshmi Foundation (GMRVF). GMRVF works with the under-privileged sections of the community in all the locations where the Group has business interests. (FREEMAN)